Mutts Manners and More

Training is offered through individual sessions and work nights only, focused on performance events (rally, obedience, conformation, agility, scent work) and therapy dog preparation. Each session begins with an evaluation to assess the dog’s behavior and the owner’s goals. Training is customized to the individual dog and owner, with emphasis on teaching the owner how to train effectively. Work nights simulate competition environments with mock judges, ring setups, and distractions. No group classes or general pet manners training are currently offered.

Pricing Summary

Initial evaluation: $50 for 1–2 hours. Individual sessions: $30 per hour. Work nights: $10 per dog (no limit on dogs per household). Therapy dog work nights: $5 per dog. Boarding services available with pricing details provided upon request. Payment required at time of scheduling.

Policies

Appointments required for all services. Work nights are canceled or modified if a dog/handler is too disruptive or reactive; refunds are issued in such cases. Boarding requires reservations. No mention of cancellation or rescheduling policies for training sessions beyond refund policy for disruptive behavior at work nights.

Mutts Manners and More, LLC is owned and operated by Amy Gibbs, a retired educator with 25 years of teaching experience and a lifelong dog owner and trainer. As of September 2022, general pet manners training through group classes and individual sessions is no longer offered. Amy now provides individual training sessions and work nights exclusively for dogs with specific goals in show ring, performance events (such as rally, obedience, agility, scent work), or therapy work. She is a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and has experience with Pet Partners, Therapy Dog International, and Alliance of Therapy Dogs. The facility is now leased by The Canine Complex, LLC (Melissa Scrivener), which conducts dog training using their own methods. Amy continues to offer pet boarding in a state-inspected, licensed facility with up to ten dogs, pet portraits, and work nights for performance and therapy dog practice. Her training approach focuses on teaching owners how to train their dogs individually, adapting methods based on the dog’s personality, breed traits, and the owner’s goals. She emphasizes positive, evolving techniques informed by modern canine science and avoids outdated methods.

Amy no longer offers general pet obedience training, but those seeking it can contact The Canine Complex, LLC at thecaninecomplex@gmail.com. Boarding services remain available, with custom kennels, daily exercise, medication administration, and personalized care. Pet portraits are offered seasonally or by appointment. Work nights are open to the public for practice in simulated show environments and are held on a schedule announced via Facebook.

Amy’s background includes 4-H dog leadership for over 10 years, showing Australian Shepherds in conformation and obedience, breeding registered dogs, and coaching Special Olympics basketball. She combines her educational expertise with hands-on dog training experience to support owners in achieving specific performance or therapy goals.

Accomplishments

Amy Gibbs is a retired K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education teacher with 25 years of classroom experience. She has been a 4-H dog leader for over 10 years, a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through AKC, and has competed in conformation, rally, and obedience with her Australian Shepherds. She has bred and raised registered dogs and has extensive experience with therapy dog organizations including Pet Partners and Therapy Dog International.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Amy to schedule an initial evaluation (1–2 hours, $50) to discuss goals for performance or therapy work. Evaluation includes observing the dog’s behavior in the facility and discussing the owner’s objectives. Work nights are announced via Facebook and open to the public without appointment.